Book Report Options
Find the option that looks most interesting to you. Have another idea? Check with me and I will let you know if it's okay.
Art—3DCreate a sculpture of a character. Use any combination of soap, wood, clay, sticks, wire, stones, old toy pieces, or any other object. An explanation of how this character fits into the book should accompany the sculpture.
Construct puppets and present a show of one or more interesting parts of the book. Build a miniature stage setting of a scene in the book. Include a written explanation of the scene. Construct a diorama (three-dimensional scene which includes models of people, buildings, plants, and animals) of one of the main events of the book. Include a written description of the scene. Design costumes for dolls and dress them as characters from the book. Explain who these characters are and how they fit in the story. Make a peep box of the most important part. Make a scale model of an important object. Make a flannel board story. Make a mobile using a coat hanger Art—2DIf the story of your book takes place in another country, prepare a travel brochure using pictures you have found or drawn.
After reading a book of history or historical fiction, make an illustrated timeline showing events of the story and draw a map showing the location(s) where the story took place. Create a mini-comic book relating a chapter of the book. Design a book jacket for the book. I STRONGLY suggest that you look at an actual book jacket before you attempt this. Sketch a favorite part of the book–don’t copy an already existing illustration. Make a poster advertising your book so someone else will want to read it. Send a postcard from one of the characters. Draw a picture on one side, write the message on the other. Paint a watercolor picture. Make a paper doll likeness of one of the characters in the book you read. Design at least threes costumes for this character. Next, write a paragraph commenting on each outfit; tell what the clothing reflects about the character, the historical period and events in the book. Design a movie poster for the book you read. Cast the major character in the book with real actors and actresses. Include a scene or dialogue from the book in the layout of the poster. Remember, it should be PERSUASIVE; you want people to come see the movie. Make a "wanted" poster for one of the characters or objects in your book. Include the following: (a) a drawing or cut out picture of the character or object, (b) a physical description of the character or object, (c) the character’s or object’s misdeeds (or deeds?), (d) other information about the character or object which is important, (e) the reward offered for the capture of the character or object. Music/Video
Write and perform an original song that tells the story of the book.
Be a TV or radio reporter, and give a report of a scene from the book as if it is happening "live". Pretend that you are one of the characters in the book you read. Tape a monologue of that character telling of his or her experiences. Be sure to write out a script before taping. You could perform this "live" if you so choose. |
Creative WritingWrite a diary that one of the story’s main characters might have kept before, during, or after the book’s events. Remember that the character’s thoughts and feelings are very important in a diary.
Make a mini-book about the story. Write a different ending for your story. Write a diary that one of the story’s main characters might have kept before, during, or after the book’s events. Remember that the character’s thoughts and feelings are very important in a diary. Choose one part of the story that reached a climax. If something different had happened then, how would it have affected the outcome? Write about one of the character’s life twenty years from now. Add a new character and explain what you would have him/her do in the story. Write a scene that has been lost from the book. Write the plot for a sequel to this book. Rewrite the story for younger children in picture book form. What other story could have taken place at this same time and setting? Write the plot and about 4 or 5 characters in this new book. Write another ending for the story. Writing Techniques
Write a letter (10-sentence minimum) to the main character of your book asking questions, protesting a situation, and/or making a complaint and/or a suggestion. This must be done in the correct letter format.
Interview a character from your book. Write at least ten questions that will give the character the opportunity to discuss his/her thoughts and feelings about his/her role in the story. However you choose to present your interview is up to you. Create a newspaper for your book. Summarize the plot in one article, cover the weather in another, do a feature story on one of the more interesting characters in another. Include an editorial and a collection of ads that would be pertinent to the story. Write a letter from one of the characters to a beloved grandparent or friend Stories are made up; on conflicts and solutions. Choose three conflicts that take place in the story and give the solutions. Is there one that you wish had been handled differently? Write how you would have liked it to go. Outline the story, then use the outline to expand into paragraphs. Write an obituary for one of the characters. Be sure to include life-time accomplishments. Choose a job for one of the characters in the book and write letter of application. Write an ad for a dating service for one of the characters. Make up a lost or found ad for a person or object in the story. Choose any topic from your book and write a 1-2 page research report on it. Include a one paragraph explanation as to how it applies to your book (not in the paper itself–on your "title page.") Make a test for the book you read. Include 10 true-false, 10 multiple choice, and 10 short essay questions. After writing the test, provide the answers for your questions. Make a poem about the story. Research and tell a brief biography about the author. |
Graphs & Maps
Make a map of where the events in the book take place.
Compare and contrast two characters in the story. Make a flow chart of all the events in the book. Do character mapping, showing how characters reacted to events and changed. Make a Venn diagram of the people, events or settings in your story. Make an action wheel. Make a Venn diagram on the ways you are like and unlike one of the characters in your story. Make a Venn diagram comparing your environment to the setting in the book Use a map or time-line to show routes or times. Social StudiesNominate one of the characters for an office in local, state or national government. Which office should they run for? What are the qualities that would make them be good for that office?
Research and write a 1 page report on the geographical setting of your story. Include an explanation as to why this setting was important to the effect of the story. Change the setting of the book you read. Tell how this change of setting would alter events and affect characters. Imagine that you have been given the task of conducting a tour of the town in which the book you read is set. Make a tape describing the homes of your characters and the places where important events in the book took place. You may want to use a musical background for your tape. You are a prosecuting attorney putting one of the characters from the book you read on trial for a crime or misdeed. Prepare your case on paper, giving all your arguments. Do the previous activity, but as the defense attorney. Other StuffTell 5 things you leaned while reading the book
Choose birthday gifts for one of the characters involved. Tell why you chose them Pretend that you are going to join the characters in the story. What things will you need to pack? Think carefully, for you will be there for a week, and there is no going back home to get something! Make game boards (Chutes and Ladders is a good pattern) using problems from the book as ways to get ahead or to be put back. Then play. Create a board game based on events and characters in the book you read. By playing your game, members of the class should learn what happened in the book. Your game must include the following: a game board, a rule sheet and clear directions, events and characters from the story. Do some research on a topic brought up; in your book. You must give up your favorite pet (whom you love very much) to one of the characters in the book. Which character would you choose? Why? Invite one of the characters to dinner, and plan an imaginary conversation with the person who will fix the meal. What will you serve, and why? Pretend that you can spend a day with one of the characters. Which character would you choose? Why? What would you do? Demonstrate something you learned. Select one character from the book you read who has the qualities of a heroine or hero. List these qualities and tell why you think they are heroic. Do a science experiment associated with the reading. |